Argyris Pedoulakis, Panathinaikos Head Coach, spoke of the encounter’s importance but also the terrific job done on the floor in the game versus Union Olimpija.
“Olimpija had an away victory against Mapooro Cantu and from our side we had to prove we have character after the derby and get the lead immediately. We knew it was a team which runs the open field either onto primary or secondary fast breaks but we were entirely focused and managed to do what we had planned. We got the ball under the basket while we got help from shorter layouts and functioned correctly on court. This win will provide us with the good mentality for the rest of the season”.
Pedoulakis was also questioned about Panathinaikos’reaction after last Monday’s derby: “Our approach in both games was correct. On Monday we performed certain things correctly but our bad range was annoying. On the other hand, experience isn’t a commodity found in a super market; it something you obtain over time. Today we got good shots and the players embarked on the attempts they should have. What we hang on to is that we were mature from the start to the end. Results will come when they must and that is want we want too”.
Xanthopoulos: «Nothing is unjust when on the Panathinaikos roster”
Vassilis Xanthopoulos slightly after the end of the clash stressed: “We have said it again and again that we are a new team. We saw the film of the game across from Olympiacos and said that we simply can’t do any worse. We trained for two days and saw that we can fight Olimpija. We followed through our technical staff’s directions down to the very last detail. We got game at the low post, we had some good plays, got good range because we had unguarded shots versus Olympiacos but they failed to hit the target. We had said that the game is the key to our group because I believe that teams will have a rough time in this home-court but also because it is always an away win for us. We were great in defense in which we improved during the second quarter while we did not hesitate this evening. We made all the shots we should have and all went well. Personally I have no issue with my role. No player can say that he has been treated unjustly while on the Panathinaikos roster. I was competing for Panionios last season where my role was quite different but coming here was a conscious choice, I knew exactly what coach would ask of me. To organize, to pass and take certain clean shots if any where presented to me in the game”.
Stephane Lasme was one of the protagonists of the clash. After the end of the encounter he stated: “I know how to play aggressively and that is exactly what I did. I know what my coach expects of me and that is towards what I aim. In Euroleague’s regular season we must be completely focused and as we functioned today must we continue to function next. We have a great team and if we keep our concentration and our focus we will do fine”.
Schortsanitis: On the national squads since 12 years old
Sofoklis Schortsanitis essentially refused to comment upon all heard today in Greece concerning his face. One sentence though was more than enough: “I really have nothing to comment, apart than that I have been on the national squads of Greece since I was 12 years old…”
